Saturday · Jan. 2, 1943
Nothing ever happens to me.
A gentle warning that the letters may stop.
Jan 2. 1942
My Darling Wife.
I’m just back from a day in the field. I was burned by the wind which was pretty stiff today.
No mail came in yesterday and there will probably not be much except airmail until some more boats come in. Each convoy brings lots of mail—so lets hope for a convoy a day.
To date I have been writing a letter each day because I am able to do so. However, if I should not get in one each day, you’ll know it is for reasons beyond my control. There is likely to be a break in the letter writing …
… at any time, but please don’t get worried over it. Nothing ever happens to me.
We have a meeting on for tonight—pretty soon now—and tomorrow I’m out in the field again so I won’t get much time to write very interesting letters.
Honey. I miss you especially much tonight. For some reason or other I am especially blue. I want my two honeys with me so badly. I want to be with you both and love you to death.—your both very dear to me and I hope you know how much.
Must close and get rid of my excess clothing etc.
All my love
Your John
About this letter
A short letter on small pages, dated 1942 by mistake. It follows his two New Year’s Day letters.
READING BETWEEN THE LINESCensors would not let him say the unit was about to move. Instead he warns of “reasons beyond my control,” and his next letter explains why he was shedding baggage.
MAILRegular mail came by convoy, so letters arrived in batches. Airmail was faster but scarce.
READING CLOSELY
“There is likely to be a break in the letter writing at any time, but please don’t get worried over it.” Within weeks the regiment was headed east toward the fighting in Tunisia.
The folder for this letter was labeled 1942 because of his date line. It belongs to 1943.
“My two honeys” are Ginny and his daughter Linda.
The Big Picture
Waiting out the winter
The new year found the war in Tunisia stuck in the mud. Winter rain had stopped the fighting in the north, and both sides were bringing in more men. For now the Allies no longer outnumbered the Axis (Germany, Italy and their partners).
In Russia, the German army trapped at Stalingrad was cold and starving. On Jan. 8 the Soviets offered surrender terms. The German commander, Gen. Friedrich Paulus, refused. On Jan. 10 the Soviets began their final attack.
Where he was
Near Oran, Algeria, now on the 3rd Battalion staff as intelligence officer (S-2). The 1st Division was still training around Oran while British, American and French troops held a line in the hills west of Tunis, more than 500 miles to the east.
In this letter. His warning of “a break in the letter writing” is the first sign the division was getting ready to move east to Tunisia.